How often should I ask my child if she has to go to the bathroom?

Just like adults, children are much less receptive when someone constantly nags them than when they feel like they're in charge. Instead, watch your toddler for signs that she has to go – swaying from side to side or grabbing herself – and let these be your cue to remind her. A good rule of thumb to gauge whether you're asking too often: You should be right about half the time. You want your child to make the connection herself that when her body feels a certain way, it's telling her she needs to sit on the potty. If you remind her all the time, she may either balk at using the toilet entirely or do so unconsciously, without learning to put two and two together.

If she says she doesn't need to go even when she clearly does, she may be becoming resistant, so it's time to back off for a while.